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| USAAF 5th AF 22nd BG 2nd BS  David Pennefather 1985 |
Pilot Captain Jason L. Brown, O-420574 (KIA, BR) Middlesex County, MA Co-Pilot 1st Lt. Wirt A. Johnson, Jr, O-661218 (KIA, BR) TX Crew 1st Lt. Virgil D. Fugler, Jr., O-725964 (KIA, BR) Marshall, TX Crew 2nd Lt. Martin R. Niemi, O-746665 (KIA, BR) MI Crew TSgt Samuel R. Robey, 6808854 (KIA, BR) NY Crew SSgt James P. Jordan, 13066562 (KIA, BR) WV Crew Pfc Peter J. Keane, 6997266 (KIA, BR) Spring House, PA Crashed October 20, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8738. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-20 Mitchell serial number 41-30573. Modified in the United States. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History During the middle of 1943, assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 22nd Bombardment Group (22nd BG), 2nd Bombardment Squadron (2nd BS). No known nickname or nose art. On October 11, 1943 this B-25 flew its first combat mission and was lost on its second mission. Mission History On October 20, 1943 took off from Dobudura piloted by Captain Jason L. Brown on training mission. While practicing formation flying over the Dobodura area, this bomber accidentally collided with B-25D Mitchell 41-30604. During the collision the other plane's propeller blades cut off one of the tail stabilizers and caused it to crash roughly 6km north of Dobudura, killing the entire crew on impact. The other bomber returned to land safely. Recovery of Remains After the crash, the remains of the crew were recovered. Postwar, their remains were transfered to the United States and the Philippines for permanent burial. Memorials The crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Three of the crew are buried at Manila American Cemetery, Brown at plot A row 13 grave 110. Johnson at plot A row 2 grave 126. Keane at plot D row 4 grave 158. Fugler is buried at Grover Cemetery in Marshall, TX. He is also memorialized on the "Old Grover Veterans" memorial in Harrison County, TX. Niemi is buried at Park Cemetery in Marquette, MI. Robey is buried at North Watertown Cemetery in Watertown, NY. Wreckage During October 1985, the crash site was located by David Pennefather. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-20 Mitchell 41-30573 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Jason L. Brown American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Wirt A. Johnson Jr American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Peter J. Keane FindAGrave - Capt Jason L Brown (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - 1Lt Wirt A Johnson, Jr (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Virgil D. Fugler, Jr (grave photo, veterans marker photo) FindAGrave - 2LT Martin R Niemi (grave photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Samuel R Robey (grave photo) FindAGrave - Sgt James P. Jordan (burial unknown) FindAGrave - PFC Peter J Keane (grave photo) PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25C Mitchell 41-30573 Revenge of the Red Raiders (2006) page 492 Thanks to David Pennefather for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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